Legally Sound | Smart Business

The guys end the week by talking about the New York startup Dog Parkerthat allows owners to leave their dogs in fancy cages. They also discuss the treats surrounding the company's longevity. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist to that news. My name is Nasir Pasha and we’re welcoming our co-host, the dog whisperer of San Diego, California. MATT: Yeah, Matt Staub. I wish I was a dog whisperer. It’d be cool. NASIR: We just have to whisper to a dog. That’s it. MATT: But, yeah, if I knew what my dog was thinking at all times, it would just be nonsense. NASIR: Yeah, I would assume so. I mean, they’re smart animals but, at the end, they’re still just an animal. I really do sometimes wish I can talk to animals. Those faces seem to present so much personality yet they still do the dumbest animalistic things, you know? MATT: Yeah. You said it. I mean, dogs are pretty smart but my dog still does the same stupid mistakes all the time. It

Nasir and Matt pass the rock around to discuss the lifetime deal that Lebron James signed with Nike and how the deal is likely structured. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and we’re welcoming our co-host. What kind of expert is he? He is a shoe expert, not a basketball expert, not what you were thinking. MATT: I don’t know anything about basketball but I know a lot about shoes. Matt Staub here. NASIR: You are a basketball… I don’t know about expert. I don’t know whether you’d call yourself an expert but you’re definitely into basketball more than I am. MATT: I would say I know more about basketball than most people do. NASIR: Okay. MATT: I think that’s fair to say. NASIR: In the world or in the United States? Like, what’s your criteria? MATT: I mean, definitely in the world because, well, it’s getting a little bit different but it’s pretty US-focused. I would think basketball has to be extremely p

Despite already having legislation that requires employers to allow for extended leave, a recent push for this leave to be “paid” is steadily emerging. Family leave, often accompanied by medical leave, is something that has come to the forefront in the last couple months in the United States. While it has been part of employment law for some time, there has been a recent push to incorporate pay into already guaranteed time off work. Keep in mind that family leave can involve “paid” and/or “non-paid” family leave. In addition to federal and state law, individual employers may enact their own policy that provides for better coverage required by law. Many look at family leave and believe it is only for recent mothers. This is far from true as it can be used by everyone in a wide range of circumstances. Depending on which law you interpret, it can include time to take care of a family member who is sick, or for medical conditions you may yourself be suffering from. “Depending on the law” is the key phrase here as

Nasir and Matt recap how some shopping mallsrequired stores to be open on Thanksgiving. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. We are starting an hour later than we originally scheduled, but you don’t know that. MATT: And, really, neither did I until I looked at the clock. NASIR: Oh, yeah, and my name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub, and I guess we’re technically starting earlier. NASIR: Because of the holidays, that’s true. MATT: Yeah, we’re a day early – a day and an hour early. We won’t reveal what day or time we normally record. NASIR: That’s a secret. MATT: I think it’s pretty obvious we’re recording dead middle of Thanksgiving Day. NASIR: Yeah. MATT: Sitting in a table, surrounded by thirty people. NASIR: I have actually turkey in my mouth right now. MATT: Well, I guess, by the time this comes out, it’ll be past Thanksgiving. NASIR: I’m sure, like, at this time, all the local news channels will be doing th

Nasir and Matt get in the Thanksgiving spiritby discussing In-N-Out Burger suing DoorDash for delivering their food and recreating their logo. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and, joining with me is our food delivery expert. MATT: Matt Staub. All right, I’d take that. I mean, I don’t know about expert but at least it’s more accurate than normal. Off to a good start, I guess. NASIR: By the way, I don’t know how I’m going to finish this episode. Not only am I hungry again, of course, but I haven’t eaten anything today. I think I had some gummy bears and I just got done with a run so this is going to be a tough episode for me. MATT: I don’t know how you did that. NASIR: You don’t know or why? MATT: Running without having any sort of… so, you’re working on, like, negative calories for now? NASIR: I don’t like running on a full stomach. That’s ideal for me, anyway. MATT: Well, there is a middle ground

Nasir and Matt discuss Small Business Saturday,the involvement of American Express, andhow to participate if you are a small business. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and, today, we are here with our expert on small businesses and the law – which is actually true. MATT: Yeah, Matt Staub. Yeah, it’s probably the closes one we’ve had so far. NASIR: Yeah. MATT: We usually talk about this every year – or at least the years we’ve been doing the podcast. Actually, no, every year – it just wasn’t recorded in previous years. NASIR: That’s true; we always talk about it but we don’t always record our conversation. MATT: Yeah, it started in 2010 so this would be the fifth year. Wait. NASIR: Well, yeah, no… MATT: Sixth year. NASIR: Yeah, you’re right, sixth year. Dang it! I can’t do my math. MATT: Yeah, Small Business Saturday which falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving – two days after Thanksgiving. Sm

The guys kick off the week by discussing the Federal law thatwould prevent companies from using non-disparagement clauses. They also discuss how to detect whether Yelp reviews are fake. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and, joining us today is our expert on non-disparagement clauses aka “gag clauses.” MATT: Yeah, I always have to be an expert in something. I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: That’s right. So, Matt, I mean, what makes you the expert in this area? MATT: Well, I think it all kind of started when I just used to give a ton of… NASIR: Disparaging reviews? MATT: I used to go into businesses and buy a product or pay for services or say I was going to pay for services or buy a product and then, once I finally got the product or the services were performed, I could pay you and write something terrible about your business or you could just give me the product or service for free. That’s where it all kind o

Nasir and Matt discuss Amazon's creative move avoid having to hire drivers as employees and why it hasalready gotten sued. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and, today, we’re joined with our prompt delivery expert… MATT: Matt Staub. NASIR: Matt Staub. Once again, a master of everything and a jack of none. MATT: It’s easy to be a delivery expert. You know, it’s pretty simple. You pick up what you’re delivering, you get to the destination, and you drop it off, and then that’s it. NASIR: Well, I mean, you make it sound so easy, obviously. I mean, you’re the expert but it’s complicated for us. MATT: You buy a lot of things online. NASIR: I do. There was a time where, like, I think we’ve calmed down now but we just get something every day and we don’t even remember what we ordered. It’s great because it’s almost like you’re birthday because you’re opening presents like, “Oh, what’s this?” “Oh, yeah, the…

The guys take this Monday to discuss the motivation behind REI making the decision to close stores and its website on Black Friday. #OPTOUTSIDE Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and we are welcomed here today with our outdoors expert. MATT: I’m at expert in everything, according to you, which is fine. Actually, very little things of actual value, but I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: Being an outdoorsman is definitely a skill. MATT: If there’s a whole list of boxes I could check and I could check as many as I want to be an expert in certain categories, I’d probably choose outdoor knowledge because you never know. I mean, it’s always good to be able to do things in the outdoors in case a bad situation arises and you get stranded somewhere. NASIR: I think I would be called an “indoorsman,” actually. I am an expert in all things indoors. No, that’s not true. I actually love the outdoors. MATT: Coming from the pers

Nasir and Matt discuss how a Houston nightclub is facing claims of discrimination for charging customers different cover charges based on their race. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and here we have our expert on clubs and nightlife in Houston, Texas. MATT: That’s you? NASIR: No, that’s you. MATT: I’m not in Houston. I’m Matt Staub. I’m definitely not in Houston. NASIR: No, but you’re an expert in clubs and nightlife in Houston, that’s why we got you on. If you’re not, then I don’t even know why, I thought that was what you were bringing to the table here. MATT: That’s the guest, yeah. Well, I think I’ll be able to do a better job than their attorney that was interviewed for this. NASIR: Yeah. MATT: We’re too deep into it now and I had an awesome start to this episode and now it’s too late. NASIR: No, let’s just all just restart. Okay. I say something like, “Welcome to the podcast. We’re awesome

The guys discuss Starbucks firing a deaf employee and what is considered a reasonable accommodation for someone requiring a sign language interpreter. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and I have a Jolly Rancher in my mouth. MATT: Could have just waited, and I’m Matt Staub, and I’m saying you could have just waited for however long it takes. NASIR: I thought it would be melted by now. MATT: What flavor? NASIR: I don’t know if it melts. It’s sour apple. MATT: Oh. NASIR: I think the best flavor. MATT: The worst, probably. NASIR: Really? That’s the best. It’s the only one I think I really like. MATT: Well, if you ever noticed – actually, I don’t know – maybe the green ones but it seems like every time someone has Jolly Ranchers on their desk or like, when you walk into a building, it’s always grape. No one ever has the grape ones. NASIR: I actually like the grape and the green ones. All the red one

The guys close out the week by talking about Urban Outfitters asking salaried employees to volunteer their time on the weekend and how employers can get free work out of salaried employees. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha and, again, we’re joined with our fashion guru, our aficionado. Some would say an expert, others would say my co-host. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. I guess it’s kind of fashion-related, I suppose. NASIR: It’s not? Oh. MATT: I guess, as much as we’ll ever get into it. NASIR: Well, I mean, no, you’re the expert. You tell me. MATT: They do sell more than clothes at these places, I believe. NASIR: Oh, okay. Yeah, I mean, I don’t know much about this stuff so, yeah, please, tell us. MATT: Well, I haven’t been to one in a long time – Urban Outfitters – which I guess they also own Anthropologie and Free People. I feel like I’ve been to Anthropologie before. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter

Nasir and Matt discuss the new legislation thatallows for healthcare workers in California to waive a meal period on longer shifts. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to Legally Sound Smart Business, our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: Hello! MATT: Hi. NASIR: So… MATT: So, you jinxed the Houston Astros. NASIR: I know. MATT: Actually, the whole state of Texas because both Texas teams just full-on collapsed the last couple of days – Houston in Game 4 and then the Rangers in Game 5, the deciding game. NASIR: Oh, the Rangers, yeah. MATT: Yeah, both of them just full-on collapsed, pretty much your fault, I’m assuming. NASIR: I actually, yeah, I definitely caused that. I’ll take credit for that. MATT: There was a period of time it was looking like an all-Texas ALCS and then, like I said, both teams just blew it. NASIR: Yeah. Sorry to hear. MATT: Did you see the thing with… I think it was the governor? I

Nasir and Matt discuss the passage of the California Fair Pay Act and how it aims to end gender based pay inequality. They also talk abouthow certain industries will be more affected by this new law than others. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: And, today, we are covering a new law in California that just passed despite Matt’s strong objections. You know, this actually passed unanimously, 39-0, but, Matt, I remember he wrote me an email that day of. He was like, “If I was in the California Senate that day, I would have voted no.” It would have been the sole “nay” vote. MATT: I don’t know if I should even be on the rest of this episode. Actually, I need to be on so I can defend myself against these allegations but it’s pretty impressive it was 39-0. NASIR: I guess that was for the California Senate back in August 31st. MATT: Yeah, I did see that, though. NASIR: Yeah

Nasir and Matt discuss the scandal involving an employee of DraftKings winning a contest for competitor FanDuel and why this has sparked a discussion on gambling and insider trading. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist to the business news. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: And we have a huge problem because I have a list of articles that we’re covering but no title so I’ve no idea what we’re doing. Who was responsible for putting the title in? Matt, was that you? MATT: Possibly. You know, I almost wrote something up there and then I didn’t. I usually just copy and paste from an article. So, this is big for you because you’re probably oblivious to… NASIR: Oblivious? MATT: Right now, what do you think is going on where you’re located? Are there any sports happening today? NASIR: You know, what’s funny is – if he’s listening, it’s going to be funny – I was in the elevator with somebody today. He’s like,

Nasir and Matt talk about JustFab's crazy valuation for a company that offerssubscription based clothes. They also get into topics of the evils of subscription model pricing and cancellation policies. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist to the business news. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: I would say you’re like the fashion guru of the two of us, wouldn’t you say? MATT: Well, first of all, I knew you were going to say that. I was about to say something because I knew you were going there and, two, I would disagree with that. I think you’re more fashionable than I am. NASIR: Well, no, that assumes that I’m making my own fashionable decisions. I would say that you make your own fashion decisions in a very fabulous way – just fab way. MATT: Just fab? Okay. Now I got you because that’s what we’re talking about – JustFab which apparently is a start-up worth one billion dollars. I’d never even heard of it

The guys kick off the week by discussing why the Federal Aviation Administration shutdown a startup trying to be the Uber for flights and how the company is trying to fight back. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Hello! Welcome. That’s how I’m going start to our podcast from now on. No, welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: I was thinking, like, I feel like I’m starting a phone call so I have to say hello and you have to say hello. MATT: Does that happen on a phone call? Both people say hello? I think it’s just one, right? NASIR: No, I don’t know. I thought you say hello and the other person says hello back, no? I guess that doesn’t happen. MATT: You call me, I would say, “Hello,” and you wouldn’t go, “Hello.” You would say… NASIR: That’s true. MATT: At least I don’t think so. I guess you could. NASIR: I may start doing that but it might get confusing and they may think it’s a question like, “Are you

Nasir and Matt talk about a judge in New York awarding a business owner $1,000 as a result of a bad Yelp review left by a disgruntled customer. They also discuss a recent lawsuit appeal made against Yelp and how Yelp determines what reviews are hidden. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: And someone keeps calling me while I’m doing this podcast. Third time and it’s from North Carolina. I don’t know who it is. I don’t know anyone from North Carolina. MATT: Well, it’s not who we’re talking about today because it’s not in North Carolina. NASIR: Okay, good. MATT: Yeah. NASIR: That was my first thought – they were trying to call us, they’ll talk about them, which would have been a good sign – that means we have a good story. MATT: Well, I don’t know. I don’t know which side of this story would… I guess probably the reviewer. Actually, I don’t know. I don’t know which side

The guys discuss a wedding venue that took deposits for weddings that were set for dates after the venue was going to close. They also discuss return policies and good customer service. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub. NASIR: And here we are today once again. We missed a whole week. But you didn’t record. I thought you were going to record by yourself or with your imaginary friend. MATT: I did, but it was so bad that our editor refused to actually edit it and put it up. NASIR: Oh, okay. MATT: We’ll do the thing that the Wu Tang Clan did and put out one version of it of a CD that sold for $5 million or something crazy like that. NASIR: I think that’s a great idea. MATT: Yeah. NASIR: But for right now it’s in the archives. MATT: Yeah. Well, I mean, I think that’s what they did. They took something that was twenty years old or something like that and only produced one ver

Nasir and Matt close out the week by talking about the woman that was refused a haircut at a barbershop because itwas described as a men's only business. Full Podcast Transcript NASIR: Welcome to our podcast where we cover business in the news and add our legal twist to that business news. My name is Nasir Pasha. MATT: And I’m Matt Staub, and sometimes we cover haircuts as well. NASIR: That was a great lead-in to our story which is our barber’s episode, actually – our annual barber gratitude episode of the year. September is haircut month, I believe. MATT: I don’t know if you did this on purpose. NASIR: First of all, I do everything on purpose, unless I do it on accident and it’s not good. MATT: So, the term “barber,” I’ve heard people say that A”barber” is only for people that cut men’s hair. I don’t know if that’s accurate or not. NASIR: I think that’s the implication. MATT: Okay. NASIR: When someone says “barber” or “barber shop,” they’re referring to a male – not necessarily a male haircutter bu